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UGANDA KENYA
Kampala Samburu NP
Lake Nanyuki
Nakuru NP
Masai Mara Nairobi
TANZANIA
21 DAY GORILLAS & KENYAN WILDLIFE
DAYS 01 - 03
Nanyuki, Samburu Game Reserve, Game Drives
DAYS 04 - 05
Lake Nakuru National Park, Game Drive
DAYS 06 - 08
Kampala, Kisoro, Gorilla Trek (optional)
DAYS 09 - 13
Lake Bunyoni, Kampala
DAYS 14 - 15
Jinja, White Water Rafting (optional)
DAYS 16 - 18
Lake Nakuru National Park, Game Drive (optional), Great
Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha
DAYS 19 - 21
Masai Mara Game Reserve, Game Drives, Nairobi
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Samburu Game Reserve
• Lake Nakuru National Park
• Kampala
• Lake Bunyoni
• Great Rift Valley
• Lake Naivasha
• Masai Mara Game Reserve
This comprehensive three week trip offers the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to observe rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat
and explores Kenya's most popular game parks. The gorillas can be
found in the misty rain forests on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes
and it's a thrilling experience to sit with them in the undergrowth.
The Masai Mara offers superb game viewing on the vast plains,
Samburu Game Reserve is good for elephant, while scenic
Lake Nakuru is famous for its large flocks of flamingos and pretty
Lake Naivasha is home to hundreds of hippo.
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Trip Code: NN21
Tour Price: R7590
Local Payment - US$ 440 Climate
On most of our trips we have a local payment, which is
The African sun is very strong. Please use a factor 30
part of the overall cost of the trip but is paid directly to the trip
sunscreen and wear a hat. You should drink at least 3 litres
leader at the start of your trip. This enables you to stagger
of water per day to avoid dehydration. East Africa
payment for your trip, and the trip leader uses it to cover
experiences a very wet rainy season. Please bear this in
game park fees, camping fees, food and anything else that
mind during the summer months.
needs to be spent during the trip other than optional extras.
We ask that you bring along your local payment contribution,
if applicable, in US$ cash as this is the easiest currency to Currency and Banking
change in Africa. USD (United States Dollars) cash is the best currency for East
Africa. Travellers Cheques can take a long time to change
into cash and often incur unreasonable charges. Credit
Countries Visited Cards cannot always be processed – especially in remote
Kenya and Uganda
areas. USD Notes printed before 2000 (i.e. the old style
notes) will not be accepted and many places will not
Pre-Departure Meeting: accept USD100 notes, so make sure to bring lots of USD1,
5:00 pm the day before at the departure point USD5 and USD10 notes for tips and craft markets. USD20
and USD50 notes are good to change in to local currency.
Departure Point:
Nairobi - Boulevard Hotel, Harry Thuku Road Health
Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as
Check-in: 08:45 am diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you
Departs: 09:30 am may be taking. We also need to know about any food
allergies that you may have.
Accommodation: Camping
Malaria
Malaria prophylactics are required throughout the route.
Group Size: Maximum 30 passengers
Vaccinations
Safari Vehicle: Overland Truck A Yellow Fever Certificate is required for this tour. Please
see the Pre Departure Information booklet for detailed
Visas information on vaccinations in Africa.
Please note that these are your responsibility. Visa requirements
vary between nationalities and the individual countries through Arrival
which we travel. Speak to our consultants about up to date Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to
visa requirements or visit www.projectvisa.com. depart. This will avoid any problems such as forgotten
luggage, misplaced bags or any unpredictable problems
What’s included such as airline strikes or delayed flight arrival.
• Fully equipped expedition truck/vehicle
• All cooking and camping equipment Departure
• Meals Please book your flight to depart the day after the tour
• Game park fees and excursions as detailed in the trip dossier officially ends. This is to account for any delays that we may
• Trip leader, driver and safari cook unless stated otherwise. experience due to unpredictable road conditions.
What’s excluded
• Sleeping bag and mat
• Personal travel insurance
• Visas
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional excursions which are detailed on the itinerary.
• Restaurant meals and drinks
Note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions,
political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice.
Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.
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OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES ON THIS ROUTE
Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip.
Kenya, Lake Naivasha - Crescent Island Sanctuary US$ 25
Kenya, Lake Naivasha – Elsamere High Tea US$ 10
Uganda, Jinja - Softpower Community Project US$ 25
Uganda, Jinja - White Water Rafting on The Nile US$ 95
Uganda, Jinja – Quad Bike (2 Hour) US$ 60
Uganda, Kampala - Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary US$ 50
Uganda, DRC or Rwanda - Gorilla Trekking Permit Between US$375.00 & US$ 500
Kenya, Nakuru – Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive US$ 100
Kenya, Masai Mara - Masai Village Cultural Visit US$ 5
(All prices are approximate)
Please Note:
This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road &
weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.
All prices & Local Payments are subject to change with prior notice.
Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the
trip.
DAY 1: Nairobi to Nanyuki (L / D)
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Nairobi we head north, crossing the equator, before reaching the market town of Nanyuki. Founded
in 1907 by English settlers, Nanyuki is home to the main base of Kenya’s Air Force. It’s popular amongst tourists because of it’s
proximity to impressive Mount Kenya, Kenya’s highest peak at 5199 m. It’s also home to the Mount Kenya Safari Club, now a hotel,
but in the 60’s an exclusive club whose members included Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.
DAY 2: Nanyuki to Samburu National Reserve (B / L / D)
Leaving this old frontier town, we head north-west through the Kikuyu area around Mt Kenya to the Samburu National Reserve.
We’ll encounter the Masai’s distant relatives, the semi-nomadic proud Samburu, tending their cattle along the way. The Samburu
National Reserve is a relatively small reserve at just 104 km2. It is a remote, hence unspoilt, reserve and attracts a wide range of
animals because of the Ewaso Ng’iro River (brown water) that runs through it.
DAY 3: Samburu National Reserve (B / L / D)
The Samburu National Reserve is made up of a mixture of scrub, desert and open Savannah plains interspersed with small rugged
hills. It is home to most of the Big 5 (except the rhino, which has been decimated by poachers). What makes this reserve unique is
its populations of Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, Reticulated Giraffe and Somali Ostrich and we’ll spend the day searching for
these unique animals.
DAY 4: Samburu National Reserve to Nakuru (B / L / D)
Leaving the unique Samburu National Reserve, we head west towards the Great Rift Valley and the 4th largest town in Kenya and
the capital of the Rift Valley Province, Nakuru. We overnight here before entering Lake Nakuru National Park tomorrow.
DAY 5: Lake Nakuru National Park (B / L / D)
Today we head into Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for the thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that flock to this soda
lake’s edge. The numbers vary depending on the water level, and when it’s low, the lake almost turns pink. A truly spectacular sight!
The park was established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen. We spend the day searching for these
pre-historic looking beasts as well as the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo, giraffe, various antelope and the occasional hippo
along the way.
DAY 06: Nakuru to Kampala (B / L /D)
Today, we cross the border into Uganda and travel via the lakeside town of Jinja (the Source of the Nile) before reaching Kampala,
Uganda's capital, for an overnight stay. Uganda is a small country of striking physical beauty. Its landscapes vary from the fertile
green areas around the northern shores of Lake Victoria to the snow-covered Ruwenzori Mountains in the west and the semi-desert
parts of the north facing the border of Sudan.
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DAYS 07 & 08: Kampala to Kisoro (B / L /D)
After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive west into the depths of Uganda to our base in Kisoro.
Kisoro is the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependant on where trekking permits
are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi National Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in
the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda. The prices of trekking
permits fluctuate and may change without prior notice – currently they are priced between US$375 and
US$500 depending on where we trek. There is a local transport fee of US$20 to US$25 per person. For
trekking in the DRC or Rwanda, we will also have to purchase an additional visa to enter either country,
as well as renewing our Ugandan visa upon re-entry. Please budget accordingly.
Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei), of which there are still only about 700
remaining, are one of our closest living relatives. A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment
is a unique and wonderful experience - one you’ll never forget. The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a
daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free roaming animals, and
their sighting can not be guaranteed. In the unlikely event of these creatures managing to completely
elude us, the authorities usually allow us a second opportunity to trek them. However, this is purely at
their discretion and subject to the availability of permits, and they will not confirm this in writing. Africa
Travel Co is a major supplier of gorilla trekkers to each park and as such have a high success rate of
procuring gorilla permits and then of actually seeing these beautiful animals. As the gorillas share much
of our DNA, anyone with even the slightest cold or transferable illness will not be permitted to trek.
Trekking is also only open to people over 16 years old. We depart from our camp in the early morning
and after border formalities are transferred to a ranger’s station where the trek commences. Your
rangers will lead you through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla
family. Trekking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours and it can be quite strenuous, so a
reasonable level of fitness is required. To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of
humans and because they share many of our genes (and therefore able to catch our diseases), the
maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to watch their activity
and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide you with a background to the family you
are visiting. Once your hour is up, you trek back out of the rain forest to your meeting point.
You needn’t feel like you’re exploiting these animals. The ever-growing number of tourists trekking them
each day play a vital role in their survival. For years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and
heads, which have been sold as ashtrays and lampshades! In addition, large numbers have been killed
whilst trying to stop poachers stealing the babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. 100%
of the gorilla permit cost is used to by the parks authorities to finance patrols that are instrumental in
protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares and on promoting these wonderful animals.
DAY 09: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni (B / L /D)
A short drive through arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa brings us to Lake Bunyoni. Lake Bunyoni is the
deepest Crater Lake in Africa and is home to a large number of bird and fish species as well as otters.
DAY 10 & 11: Lake Bunyoni (B / L /D)
The next two days are spent at leisure to enjoy the beauty of Lake Bunyoni. There are the options to swim, canoe, hike, visit the
local villages or just sit back, relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounds. Well deserved rest days!
DAY 12: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala (B / L /D)
After enjoying the peaceful surrounds of Lake Bunyoni we drive to Kampala for the next two nights stay, and perhaps the chance
to sample the nightlife. Today we will cross the equator for the second time and there will be ample opportunity for photos at the
Equator crossing
DAY 13: Kampala (B / L /D)
Today is spent at leisure in Uganda’s capital and can be spent exploring the local markets and museums, or taking a trip to the
nearby Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary. The political instability that haunted Uganda over a period of years has had the positive
effect of leaving the country free of the overcommercialism so common in other parts of Africa. The current administration under
President Museveni has devoted considerable effort and funds to regain Uganda's former glory as one of Africa's most
prosperous and, from a tourist’s point of view, one of the most appealing and interesting countries to visit..
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DAY 14 & 15: Kampala to Jinja (B / L /D)
After a short drive to the Lakeside town of Jinja, you have the option over the next day and a half to raft the Nile, visit the local
community project or take part in a quad bike trip along the riverbank. Our overnight camp is right on the edge of the Nile River
where there is an abundance of resident bird life & some truly amazing photo opportunities from right outside your tent!
DAY 16: Jinja to Nakuru (B / L /D)
Today will be a full day driving back to Kenya with an overnight at a campsite in Nakuru.
DAY 17: Nakuru to Lake Naivasha (B / L /D)
This morning we have the option to take a game drive in the Lake Nakuru National Park or head into Nakuru town. In the afternoon,
we drive to Lake Naivasha where we make camp in peaceful surroundings beside the lake.
DAY 18: Lake Naivasha (B / L /D)
Moving south-east, we head to Lake Naivasha, home to a multitude of bird life, the most magnificent being the African Fish Eagle
with his regal cry. At 1880 m, this is the highest of the Rift Valley lakes. Time permitting; we spend the afternoon enjoying optional
excursions like Elsamere (former home to Joy & George Adamson of Born Free fame), a boat ride to the Crescent Island Game
Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park.
DAY 19: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara (B / L /D)
We depart from Lake Naivasha and enter Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the
side of the road. We pass through the town of Narok, before arriving at our campsite, Acacia Camp. Acacia Camp looks on to the
Meguarra hills and the stream that meanders by on the bottom end forms a natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve.
DAY 20: Masai Mara Game Reserve (B / L /D)
We spend the day driving through nature as it was intended to be - huge plains, rolling hills and an abundance of game matched
no where else on earth. We keep an eye open for the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard. If travelling between July and
October, we may get to witness the impressive herds of over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle in their
Annual Migration. Sitting around the camp fire, watching the sun set is the perfect way to finish a day’s game viewing in this
“Garden of Eden.”
DAY 21: Masai Mara to Nairobi (B)
After breakfast, we leave the Masai Mara and return to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon. On arrival we exchange addresses
and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
FREE TRIP
When you book this trip, you are entitled to receive a FREE 3 Day Masai Mara Safari the Thursday before
your trip begins or the Sunday after your trip ends. The Local Payment is still applicable for the trip. This
fantastic offer must be taken up at the same time you book this trip. Ask your agent or the Africa Travel
Co office for more details. Conditions apply.
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